Sky News has learnt that Mr Abramovich's advisers at The Raine Group were expected to issue letters to prospective bidders on Wednesday, with a deadline set for indicative bids in mid-March. Sources close to the process said that as many as 8 multibillionaires were being sounded out about their appetite to buy Chelsea . Several of the parties contacted by Raine are understood to be from the USA with other from Asia .
The Independent has separately been told that Abramovich has set a deadline for indicative bids, before a final round of negotiations. It is far from inconceivable that Chelsea could be sold by their next Premier League home game, which is against Newcastle United on 13 March.
Who is Hansjorg Wyss
Hansjorg Wyss, 86, is a Swiss billionaire who founded Synthes USA - a medical device manufacturer - in 1977.
Synthes USA is the world's largest maker of implants to mend bone fractures.
Wyss sold the company to Johnson & Johnson in 2012 in a deal worth $20.2bn (£15.2bn). Synthes is now part of their DePuy division.
In 2017, DePuy Synthes launched its Titanium 3-D Printed Implants for use in facial reconstruction.
According to Forbes, Wyss has a net worth of $5.8bn (£4.3bn) as of 2021. He now holds stakes in biotech firms NovoCure and Molecular Partners.
Wyss has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to environmental charities and has more recently pledged money to politically progressive causes.
Forbes says that Wyss is 'among the most philanthropic people in the world'.
In 2013, he signed The Giving Pledge, thereby agreeing to give away the majority of his fortune. Other pledgers include Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Warren Buffett.
The 86-year-old has no record of owning a football club or investing in sport.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is among those interested in buying Chelsea, with the financier and industrialist exploring the possibility of buying a leading English football club
Ratcliffe told BBC Five Live: "There was some early exchange but we were a significant way apart on valuations. The issue with Chelsea is its stadium. We are all getting older and it is a decade of your life to resolve that."
BREAKING: Roman Abramovich will receive bids to buy Chelsea this week with parties believing that, for the first time, he will consider a sale.
Roman Abramovich has previously turned down offers worth £2.2 billion for Chelsea, while the club’s debt to him is £1.51bn which he would almost certainly expect to be covered. (Telegraph) #CFC
For the first time during his ownership, potential buyers believe he would be willing to sell the club.
Preventing the club being part of sanctions. Club being prepared for an eventual sale… #
Chelsea have previously insisted the club is not for sale, but the mood from the outside at least is changing and there is a feeling that Abramovich could be left with no other option, with his resolve to hang on to the club to be tested. (Telegraph)
-------------Kepa
Chalobah , Christensen , Sarr
James , Jorignho , Saul/RLC , CHO
Ziyech , Lukaku , Werner
I hope we do not reach the final this year 3 lost in a row will be toooo much 😄
Chelsea in European/World Cup Finals : 5 wins in a row
2012 CL ,2013 LE , 2019 LE , 2021 CL ,2022 CWC
Chelsea in FA Cup/Carabao Cup Finals : 4 lost in a row , 5 in 6 finals
2017 FA Cup , 2019 Carabao , 2020 FA Cup , 2021 FA Cup , 2022 Carabao